Thesis
Effect of zooplankton on the development of a deep chlorophyll layer in an oligotrophic lake a limnocorral experiment
(2000)
Abstract
In this paper, an experiment to test the importance of zooplankton grazing as a factor driving the development of the DCL is described. In oligotrophic Yellow Belly Lake (Sawtooth Mountains, central Idaho) I compared chlorophyll profiles and nutrient movements due to biological or turbulent processes under the presence/absence of zooplankton. 15N ammonia and rhodamine were used as tracers. In limnocorrals with zooplankton, macrozooplankton biomasses and grazing rates were higher in the epilimnion than in the metalimnion (as observed in the lake), leading to the maintenance of the DCL. The no-zooplankton treatment showed the formation of an epilimnetic chlorophyll layer. Turbulent movement was high and presumably 15N moved into adjoining strata through this process. Grazing, however, coupled with a downward movement and metalimnetic accumulation of nutrients by fecal material and/or algal sedimentation, appears to explain the development of a metalimnetic chlorophyll maxima.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2000
Degree
Master of Science
Field of study
Aquatic Ecology
Department
Fisheries and Wildlife
Advisor
Wayne Wurtsbaugh
Citation Information
Alberto Pilati. "Effect of zooplankton on the development of a deep chlorophyll layer in an oligotrophic lake a limnocorral experiment" (2000) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/wayne_wurtsbaugh/308/